If you are new to storefront websites, you will need to obtain an SSL certificate. This is to ensure the information that your customer provides during a transaction has the utmost security and will allow them to come back time and time again with full confidence in your site.

What is an SSL?

An SSL is also known as a secure sockets layer. It is a protocol that enables data encryption on a website. It protects information given between the user of the site and the site itself. RapidSSL SSL certificates are now being used for server to server communication, as well as web-based applications.

How long does it take to enroll and when will the site be secure?

If you are obtaining a RapidSSL SSL certificate, then you can have the certificate within minutes of your enrollment. The information will need to be filled out correctly and to the fullest extent. The process does include email authentication. This means that if you do not respond right away, then you are making yourself wait unnecessarily. If you find that you did not receive the authentication email, you will need to check your spam folder. The email address that sends the authentication email is from either RapidSSL Certificates or RapidSSL Wildcard.

What is the domain control validation process?

RapidSSL confirms the domain is controlled by the applicant by sending the authentication email to the administrator of the website address provided. When registering for a domain name, the email provided during this process is the same email that will need to be used to retrieve the authentication email. This proves you are in fact the owner or operator of the website you are intending to receive the RapidSSL SSL certificate for.

How do the customers know the site is secure?

Most browsers, approximately 99 per cent of them, are compatible with the certificate. Major browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, and more display a different style of address bar while logged onto your website. The address bar itself will present a green background, as well as a padlock icon in the right of the address bar. It will also add an ‘S’ to the ‘http’ within the address itself.